James O’Connor will finally make his Queensland Reds debut after being named to start in Friday’s Super Rugby clash with the Highlanders in Dunedin.
The former Wallaby was set to play the Western Force last weekend but withdrew after an ongoing knee injury flared up during the pre-match warm-ups.
But O’Connor has been cleared fit to make his long-awaited Super Rugby return, and he will replace utility Nick Frisby at five-eighth.
“It has been a while coming but he has done everything for a number of weeks at training and is well prepared,” Reds coach Richard Graham said.
The Reds have received a further boost with the return of Anthony Fainga’a from a serious cork he suffered in their pre-season clash against the Crusaders, joining Samu Kerevi in the centres.
A nasty hand injury has forced James Horwill out of the travelling squad, with Dave McDuling to make his first start for Queensland at lock, while Lachie Turner retains the No.15 jersey.
Graham said the team’s focus has been sharp at training this week in the wake of the stirring win over the Force, which came on the back of Karmichael Hunt’s shocking cocaine allegations and amidst a week of wild weather in Brisbane that nearly saw the game postponed.
“Whilst last week’s win was hugely important, this week is a new challenge and we have been heavily focused on ensuring we get the mindset right,” Graham said.
“A short turnaround has meant an even sharper focus and need to get things spot on.
“With a number of players returning from injury now it presents options and competition for places. That will drive the group to higher levels.”
Graham said he hoped former Highlanders favourite Adam Thomson would get a warm welcome back home.
“I can’t help but think Adam will get a wonderful reception wearing a red jersey. Maybe `The Zoo’ will be cheering for us a wee little bit this weekend. That’d be pretty cool wouldnt it?” Graham joked.
Queensland Reds: James Slipper (capt), Saia Fainga’a, Sam Talakai, Dave McDuling, Marco Kotze, Adam Thomson, Liam Gill, Jake Schatz, Will Genia, James O’Connor, Chris Feauai-Sautia, Anthony Fainga’a, Samu Kerevi, Chris Kuridrani, Lachie Turner. Res: James Hanson, Ben Daley, Sef Faagase, Tom Murday, Curtis Browning, Nick Frisby, Sam Johnson, Campbell Magnay.
riddler
Guest
Games I saw him play for toulon was not that flash at all.. Very rarely started there, Armitage, halfpenny were there first choice fullback.. joc was more utility type for them.. Anyways here is hoping that he has a good crack of it in the upcoming games.. oz rugby needs as many as possible playing to and beyond their potential..
Bakkies
Guest
Got raves for dropping high balls? He scored some good tries on the wing that's where he should be until he learns the basics and take the line on.
Squirrel
Guest
Both sides conference spooners
The OG AlBo
Roar Guru
I have a feeling he might be a very handy Super Rugby 10 fill in for the Reds as his style is more suited for fractured play. Good luck JOC. Always been a fan of his work in the field. Plays every single second of every minute he's out there. Such a talent and glad he's decided to come home for now. Even his interviews seem to be miles ahead in maturity than when he left. Good signs. Go hard.
Dandaman
Roar Rookie
I think his height is a disadvantage at FB and he would get peppered with high balls, although he does have a kicking/running game where Israel only has a running game..
jutsie
Guest
hope he goes well. always rated him the best all round player of the three amigos and he was a big loss to the team since 2011 due to injury/ill discilpine
Combesy
Roar Guru
Absolutely! I thought even in a forward dominated game last week he deserved MOTM
Lano
Roar Guru
Brilliant news! So when Frisby comes back does JOC go to wing and who gets dropped?
Bfc
Guest
Pst...Tui is still in Japan...but you are correct, the Reds have some major injury concerns already. Rugby is a collision sport so training injuries are almost expected...though hard to plan against! JOC may not THE ideal flyhalf, but he showed glimpses (as a Rebels supporter noted..) of his potential and is a good option for now. May not have QCs long pass ability off both wings, but he can tackle one-on-one, has a booming kick and no one doubts his capacity to run the ball and beat an opponent. With the vaunted Highlanders back three, it is unlikely the Reds will kick deep so often as they did against the Force, so I hope JOC can give the outside men some open space....would love to see those big and mobile lads get decent front foot attacking ball:) Ant Faingaa will be a great stabilising influence, and he will be the defensive leader.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Don I disagree on Holmes, Robinson and Fainga'a. Holmes injured his shoulder last year and recovered. Robinson and Fainga'a were fit enough to play in trials, but were not deemed fit for round 1, implying that they were injured again.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
FOS there are some injuries the Reds S & C need to look at. But consider the fact that Simmons, O'Conner, Thomson and Tui all turned up to Reds 2015 training with injuries. Holmes injured his thumb lifting in a line out, Horwill split the webbing in his hand making a tackle and Cooper broke his collar bone making a tackle. These are hardly faults of the S & C management. They are bad luck. Fainga'a, Robinson, Quirk, McDuling and Tapuai having joint injury concerns are more likely an issue of the coaching staff. I just heard today that Ollie Richardson and the other Reds S & C are departing. If this is by their own choice, I wonder if it's potentially a coaching issue, in that the staff aren't following the S & C advice? That's pure speculation on my part though.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Very happy with his first crack at it.
Robbo76
Guest
I think us Reds supporters are pretty optimistic generally speaking but I don't think we should forget about last season and round 1 this year. I hope we do well and I'll be devastated as always if we lose, but even though the team showed guts last week, they'll also need to execute a shrewd gameplan this weekend too. We haven't done that in a long time...
Westie
Guest
They went well. Big keen backline with few opportunities. Hopefully joc can give them more
Westie
Guest
Played well last week
Don
Roar Rookie
Simmons, Robinson, Holmes, A Fainga'a and Tapuai all suffered their injuries last season either in the NRC or Tests that they haven't fully recovered from. Horwill's was a freak split of the webbing on his hand last week. I haven't seen it in Rugby before. Cooper was a contact injury from training and nothing to do with over training. Slipper was concussed. So in all, just unlucky.
Mike
Guest
If you had all those players available it would be a very strong team. On the bright side, you played pretty well last week with few big names.
Phaeton Likeabute
Guest
JOC's best spot is at FB. He got raves playing there in Toulon. In Oz some years back he didn't do too well at 15 but he's learned a hell of a lot about positional play since. The WBs are okay for 10 with Foley and Quade, but if JOC gets a chance to play FB and makes a success of it it gives Cheika the option of moving Folau into the backline.
Adsa
Guest
I hope they keep the centres pairing the same, as much as I like AntF's defence, he is limited in attack. Kerevi and CFS have plenty of thrust if they are given the right ball and I think that is our only hope of winning. I am looking forward to seeing JOC at 5/8.
Mike
Guest
I think the Reds can do this one as well. Sticking my neck out plumping for them twice in a row, but I think they have the edge. They have players out injured or for *ahem* other reasons, but then the Highlanders are down quite a few regulars also . The plaudits rightly went to the Reds forwards for last game, but their backs showed some good signs. Ant Fainga'a is back - I have never really rated him as a test player, but he is potent for the Reds, lifts the whole backline. It will be interesting to see how Adam Thomson is welcomed back to Dunedin!